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Author Murakami to give rare public speech in Japan

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I'm so pleased to read about this award as I am an admirer of Hayao Kawai. I've managed to find three of his many books in English, and I thoroughly enjoyed them. I have to say I came away thinking what a wonderful man. I would like to meet him.

Though I am a Murakami reader, and noticed the Jungian influence, until this article, I did not know he had a connection to Doctor Kawai. I hope Japan Today will follow up on this story and print details of this seminar including the text of his Murakami's speech.

One comment; the seminar's name carries a male bias. So perhaps Jungian women need their own gathering more appropriately called, "Observe spirit, write spirit."

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I have read two of his books and didn't like them, I'm still wondering what the fuss over the author is, the are many better writers that don't get the recognition this one dose. I guess it's the lack of Japanese writers than can produce more than manga and 100 pages.

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Tatsuwashi: If you read it in English than you are mistaken about the poor translation unless you read a bootleg. Murakami works closely with Rubin on the translation -- one reason why it takes the English version two years or more to come out while translations around Asian languages are rampant within weeks of the Japanese works being published. Secondly, and more importantly, what do you think the word 'jyaji' means? It is Japenglish for 'Jersey', and they aren't only worn for sports depending on what nation you come from. So that 'embarrassing lack of translation skills' comes from.... (drumbeat)... you!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Wife looks a bit surreal in the photo. Perhaps a source of his inspiration.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I don't like his books, I have read Norwegian Wood and 1Q84. But if other people like him, whatever. I have only read the English versions, so he might be better in his native Japanese.

I don't feel like the translations are well done. In 1Q84, a character was supposed to be described as wearing a warm up suit or a track suit (depending on where you are from). In Japanese, they are called "jyaji", which is a very commonly used word. But the translator described the character as wearing a "jersey", like a soccer or basketball uniform, I suppose. It made no sense in the context of the story and displayed an enormously embarrassing lack of translation skills.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

lucabrasi: I don't mean 'classical' like The Tale of Genji, I mean classical like the style of writing -- the suffering protagonist, etc. Oe doesn't agree with Murakami getting the Nobel for literature because Oe doesn't like Murakami's 'contemporary' style of writing -- using 'boku' instead of 'watakushi' (for the most part), etc. A lot of people here criticize Murakami because he doesn't follow a certain style, and as a microcosm if you like, that shows with the media and how he avoids it.

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@smith

...people that insist he use more classical Japanese like Oe....

Bizarre choice of example. Oe's about as far from "classical" as you can get. As he himself recognises.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

smith, basically I agree with all your points. I read about half of Murakami's works in Japanese, including the 1Q84. I also enjoy the works of Kawabata Yasunari (my personal favorite from him being Meijin).

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I envy those who can read Murakami Haruki's works in Japanese. Alas, I will have to wait not so patiently for Jay Rubin's translated version.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

ebisen: It's not about ease, it's about the fact that a) I personally believe any work should be read in its originally written language if possible so as to avoid losing any meaning in translation, and (b) I don't want to wait. I know Murakami is more down to earth than the people that insist he use more classical Japanese like Oe and Mishima do (or did), but still -- reading is a pleasure, not a chore; while I would understand it quite well it would be like study.

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smith

might read it in Japanese

Go for it!!! There is no other contemporary author with such an easy to read writing style.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I look forward to his new book. Might read it in Japanese as I don't want to wait three years for Rubin to translate (no offense to Rubin, he does an awesome job). As for Murakami himself -- a genius, and I LOVE that he doesn't sell out himself like most Japanese celebrities.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

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